Simon W. Golding

Biography

Simon W. Golding is a best-selling and award-winning novelist, screenwriter and producer. Simon started writing for national magazines (Reader's Digest, Cosmopolitan, FHM, The Great Outdoors etc.) and radio, including News Hudlines and Week Ending (BBC Radio 4 & 2). The publication of Manquito (Minerva Press) in 1995 launched Simon as a fictional novel writer, other publications followed, including Tally (USA only)and Badged! A move into non-fiction saw the publication of the revised edition of the world best seller Killing Time (Lion publishing) - Foreword by Ludovic Kennedy. Simon's last book surrounds Ken Loach gritty northern classic Kes - Life After Kes (GET Publishing 2007) - Foreword by Michael Winner. The book has received national praise on TV and radio. Simon's next book, which will be launched in winter 2017, is an authorized account of the late Brian Glover, Wrestler, Actor, Writer (GET Publishing) - Foreword by Darren Day. Another new commission is a book surrounding all movies and TV projects made in the county of Shropshire - On Screen Shropshire (GET Publishing) - Foreword by John Challis Boycie from 'Only Fools and Horses'.

One of Simon's main productions at the moment is writing a big budget crime thriller screenplay, Hide & Seek, with filming taking place mainly in Mauritius in late 2018. It is being produced by actress Françoise Pascal (CEO of MFC Productions). Filming will take place in London and Mexico, however, most of the location filming will be shot in Mauritius – at a new muti-million pound studio owned by Tropicana Studios Ltd. Oscar nominated director, Jonathon Tammuz is directing and there are some very big names attached to the production.

Simon is working on a new project with actor/writer Norman Eshley (George and Mildred plus TV and film). The screenplay, written by Norman, is called The Dreamtime of The Artful Dodger and the author will be representing him through his new literary agency; Scriptura UK, which he founded in early 2016.

The author's latest project is a biography surrounding the French cinematic icon Jacques Tati called The Quiet Man.

In winter 2018 Golding will be translating, from Spanish to English, Icíar Bollaín best selling book (published by El Pais Aguilar in 1997), A Quixotic Observer (surrounds Ken Loach Carla's Song (1996), for the UK national market, but more importantly he is working on a volume which includes all of Loach's movies - Ken Loach - Real to Reel.

Golding is also working on a documentary surrounding his book Life After Kes hopefully to be included on a Kes Special DVD together with Sony BMG. This will tie-in with the paperback addition of Life After Kes - foreword by Melanie Sykes- the book is now available on Kindle (Amazon).

Simon has sold a comedy/drama script to a main-stream television company, co-written with his long-term writing partner; TV presenter Melanie Sykes. The writing pair are also working on a new fictional novel.

The author has been filmed, for the BBC Inside Out series, for a TV special celebrating 40 years since the release of Kes. Also appearing in the program will be Ken Loach, and Golding has also appeared in shows Saturday Night Live (with Lenny Henry, Tellystacks hosted by Paul Ross and The Time, The Place, presented by John Stapleton.

Simon's current workload includes two non-fiction novels. The first one, called Thursday's Child, is a true adventure novel surrounding entrepreneur extraordinaire and aviation record holder, Mike Kendrick. Mike's long term business partner and close friend, Richard Branson, has kindly written the foreword - and was launched with national media praise by DB Publishing in October 2014. The second is a controversial book surrounding the murder of 13-year-old newspaper boy Carl Bridgewater in 1978 - Scapegoat for Murder: The Truth About the Killing of Carl Bridgewater - and brings new evidence to the table. DB Publishing launched the book in June 2016 - the delay due to the book being adapted into a Channel 4 documentary - Interview With a Murderer (broadcast 12th June 2016) by ITN Productions - presented by top criminologist; Professor David Wilson. The author has appeared on national TV and written articles about the book for The Sunday Mercury, Birmingham Mail and Reader's Digest.The author was rewarded with a Broadcast Award in 2017 for the documentary, adapted from his book, Interview With a Murderer on Channel 4 - Best Documentary Programme.Interview With a Murder also won a Royal Television Award at the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2017.

Simon has been collaborating on a West End show with actress/comedienne Helen Lederer- called; Helen Lederer ask...WTF (Why The Fuss) - the show opened on 9th May at the St James Theatre, Westminster - to great reviews. The sell-out show will be performed again on the 7th - 28th November 2014 with special guest Kimberly Walsh from Girls Aloud.

Simon has recently written and co-producing a comedy pilot script called, For the Love of Ella, and a further 5 treatment episodes for a 4-part series for TV. Filming early last year. The comedy stars Ewen MacIntosh (big Keith in The Office plus TV and film) with rising startlet actress Lucy Drive playing the other lead, Ella. The series will also include ex-cage fighter and actor/presenter Alex Reid, actor 'Danny Peacock (I)' (Comic Strip, film and TV), Bobby Ball (Cannon and Ball & actor), actress Françoise Pascal (Mind your Language plus TV and film), Bruce Jones (Coronation Street, film and TV), Vicki Michelle Allo Allo!, film and TV), Valerie Leon (film and TV), Darren Day (You Bet, presenter & actor), TV presenter Melanie Sykes, comedian and entertainer Billy Pearce, actress/presenter/writer Helen Lederer and actress Diane Keen. The project is being directed, edited and co-produced by James Farina. The cinematographer is the respected Simon Rowling.

The author launched his own production company - Plan B Media Productions. Simon will be Director of Productions, together with presenter Nikki Brown (Business & Finance Director) and John Harris (Technical, Audio & Visual Director). They are already working on a documentary about comedians called Standing Up!

In summer of 2018 the author will direct a world premiere of his comedic one act trilogy under the title of The Film Audition. This will include The Son (act 1), The Mother (act 2) and The Father (act 3).

Simon Golding is also a director and organiser of the established prestigious Bridgnorth Music and Arts Festival, which raises money for many local and national charities. Simon is also a presenter and chairman for the soon-to-be-launched radio station; The Valley Radio. Simon will present various art shows.